Books to Get You Thinking
In late January the world witnessed a nationwide popular uprising of an unprecedented magnitude in Egypt, a country that had been governed from the past thirty years under the iron handed rule of President Hosni Mubarak. The eyes of the world watched history in the making as President Mubarak was forced to step down and the military took over with a promise to hand over power to a democratically elected government in the next six months. In a country where citizens are clamoring for change, the drama continues to unfold against the complex political and social fabric of Egypt. This month’s selections include books at the Mercer County Library that would help us better understand the political, cultural, religious and economic forces that shape the dynamics of the region.
Egypt on the Brink: From Nasser to Mubarak by Tarek Osman
In this well researched book, the author skillfully analyzes the complexities and contradictions of Egypt, a country with a rich cultural heritage and a history of religious pluralism. The author traces the events since 1954 when Nasser took over and finds a very different Egypt at the dawn of the twenty first century. In the three decades of rule under Mubarak, Egypt was transformed into a country with a deepening rift between the urban rich and the unemployed, uneducated masses, widespread corruption and repression, and a country that has played an active role in the rise of Arab nationalism and radical Islam. The author also explores the important question of what lies ahead for the country.
Egypt: A Short History by Robert Tignor
The author, a professor Emeritus of History at Princeton University presents a comprehensive, fascinating account of Egypt’s long history dating back to five thousand years ago when settlements first came up in the Nile valley, and takes the reader through the period spanning the age of the Pharaohs, through Napoleon’s invasion to the British colonization and then beyond that to the post colonial years under Nasser , Sadat and Mubarak. With a keen understanding of the country, its politics and economy, Tignor provides a unique perspective and analysis of the forces that have shaped the course of Egyptian history that in many ways will play a decisive role in the future direction the nation may take.
Inside Egypt: the Land of the Pharaohs on The Brink of A Revolution by John Bradley
Following on the heels of his previous acclaimed work “Saudi Arabia Exposed”, journalist, writer John Bradley recognized widely as an expert voice on the Middle East, presents readers with an insightful study of the contemporary Egyptian socio political and religious structures. Through interviews, the author intercepts his voice with the voices of several contemporary Egyptian scholars and leaders and highlights Egypt’s political, religious and cultural milieu that makes it unique and distinct while at the same time helps readers understand the forces that culminated in the eighteen days of revolt and the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.
A History of Egypt: From Earliest Times to the Present by Jason Thompson
For readers interested in a sweeping yet concise and scholarly history of Egypt Jason Thompson presents an engaging historical narrative that is unique in its focus on the many threads of continuity that runs through centuries of Egypt’s tumultuous history. Truly wide in its scope, this single volume covers the entire five thousand years of Egyptian history from the birth of the Egyptian civilization through its rule under the Roman and Ottoman Empires, the Mamluks, and the British occupation to the rise of modern Egypt. While analyzing the changing times under different indigenous rulers and invaders occupying the land, the author at the same time finds a distinct continuity in the evolution of the nation to its modern day state.
The Yacoubian Building by Alla Al Aswany
A translation of the all time bestselling Arabic novel , the book is exceptional for its vivid and memorable depiction of modern Egypt’s socio cultural and political infrastructure as detailed through the captivating narrative of the novel’s rich cast of characters. The novel is set in the Yacoubian building in downtown Cairo and skillfully weaves together the experiences of all its central players: the doorman’s son who is consumed with religious fervor, the squatters who made a home on the rooftop of the Yacoubian building having no other place to go, the intellectual living in an apartment in the building, the rich owners of the stores located in the building all representing different facets of contemporary Egyptian life.
Egypt on the Brink: From Nasser to Mubarak by Tarek OsmanIn this well researched book, the author skillfully analyzes the complexities and contradictions of Egypt, a country with a rich cultural heritage and a history of religious pluralism. The author traces the events since 1954 when Nasser took over and finds a very different Egypt at the dawn of the twenty first century. In the three decades of rule under Mubarak, Egypt was transformed into a country with a deepening rift between the urban rich and the unemployed, uneducated masses, widespread corruption and repression, and a country that has played an active role in the rise of Arab nationalism and radical Islam. The author also explores the important question of what lies ahead for the country.
Egypt: A Short History by Robert TignorThe author, a professor Emeritus of History at Princeton University presents a comprehensive, fascinating account of Egypt’s long history dating back to five thousand years ago when settlements first came up in the Nile valley, and takes the reader through the period spanning the age of the Pharaohs, through Napoleon’s invasion to the British colonization and then beyond that to the post colonial years under Nasser , Sadat and Mubarak. With a keen understanding of the country, its politics and economy, Tignor provides a unique perspective and analysis of the forces that have shaped the course of Egyptian history that in many ways will play a decisive role in the future direction the nation may take.
Inside Egypt: the Land of the Pharaohs on The Brink of A Revolution by John BradleyFollowing on the heels of his previous acclaimed work “Saudi Arabia Exposed”, journalist, writer John Bradley recognized widely as an expert voice on the Middle East, presents readers with an insightful study of the contemporary Egyptian socio political and religious structures. Through interviews, the author intercepts his voice with the voices of several contemporary Egyptian scholars and leaders and highlights Egypt’s political, religious and cultural milieu that makes it unique and distinct while at the same time helps readers understand the forces that culminated in the eighteen days of revolt and the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.
A History of Egypt: From Earliest Times to the Present by Jason ThompsonFor readers interested in a sweeping yet concise and scholarly history of Egypt Jason Thompson presents an engaging historical narrative that is unique in its focus on the many threads of continuity that runs through centuries of Egypt’s tumultuous history. Truly wide in its scope, this single volume covers the entire five thousand years of Egyptian history from the birth of the Egyptian civilization through its rule under the Roman and Ottoman Empires, the Mamluks, and the British occupation to the rise of modern Egypt. While analyzing the changing times under different indigenous rulers and invaders occupying the land, the author at the same time finds a distinct continuity in the evolution of the nation to its modern day state.
The Yacoubian Building by Alla Al AswanyA translation of the all time bestselling Arabic novel , the book is exceptional for its vivid and memorable depiction of modern Egypt’s socio cultural and political infrastructure as detailed through the captivating narrative of the novel’s rich cast of characters. The novel is set in the Yacoubian building in downtown Cairo and skillfully weaves together the experiences of all its central players: the doorman’s son who is consumed with religious fervor, the squatters who made a home on the rooftop of the Yacoubian building having no other place to go, the intellectual living in an apartment in the building, the rich owners of the stores located in the building all representing different facets of contemporary Egyptian life.
- Nita Mathur
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